South Texas Hispanic Fund addressing needs in our community

Although Hispanics in our region have made great progress in recent years, the community still faces daunting challenges, including a high dropout rate among youth and other obstacles, such as teen pregnancy and the prevalence of diabetes and obesity.

One does not have to be Hispanic to be affected by these critical issues. The region’s economic vitality depends on a well-educated, healthy population.

With such challenges in mind, in 2007, Hispanic leaders and city and county officials joined the San Antonio Area Foundation in unveiling a new outreach fund aimed at benefiting the Hispanic community, the South Texas Hispanic Fund.

The STHF in 2011 awarded $50,000 to nonprofit agencies that serve at least 51 percent Hispanics in the fund’s four key areas:

Education, because an educated community is necessary for economic and social progress. This includes programs to prevent students from dropping out of high school and to strengthen awareness of the value of higher education and preparation for careers.

Health and human services, supporting programs addressing needs in areas such as mental health, teen pregnancy, chronic disease prevention and treatments for conditions such as diabetes, obesity and AIDS.

Community development, to increase the level of home ownership and support community-based investment efforts designed to foster economic opportunity and fiscal responsibility.

Arts and culture, supporting various forms of expression, because remembering, sharing and celebrating one’s uniqueness can serve as a catalyst for inspiration and dynamic change.

As an example, a grant that the STHF awarded to Healthy Futures of Texas in 2011 provided much needed funding for programs that are helping to reduce the teen pregnancy rate in Bexar County, said Healthy Futures President Janet P. Realini, M.D. Those programs include educational sessions for teens about preventing pregnancy, as well as to help parents to start talking with their teens about relationships, values and sex.

“We really appreciate the South Texas Hispanic Fund,” Realini said. “It has given us resources to use in the highest-risk areas of San Antonio, where parents are really hungry for information.”

The Fund also strives to increase philanthropy within the Hispanic population. Its all-volunteer leadership works to get out the message that one does not have to be wealthy to participate in charitable giving. An important message of the STHF is that through collaboration and the pooling of resources at any level, donors can build something substantial and lasting.

“Ultimately, it’s strengthening our community through nonprofits that motivates me to be involved with the Hispanic Fund,” said San Antonio public relations business owner Cynthia Muñoz, who serves on the STHF’s Advisory Committee.

Thanks to the generosity of donors who support the STHF’s mission, we are building a permanent endowment that will provide ongoing funding for the current and future needs of the South Texas community. Supporters can make donations via the San Antonio Area Foundation’s website at www.saafdn.org.

Each year, The South Texas Hispanic Fund holds an annual gala to raise money and awareness for the Fund. RingSide SA features six bouts of boxing, pairing 12 community leaders from the business, educational, military and nonprofit arenas. This year’s fifth anniversary RingSide SA will take place on Friday, Nov. 2, at the Freeman Coliseum. This much-anticipated black tie-optional event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by an elegant dinner, live music, live auction and the boxing program.

To purchase seats or for more information about RingSide SA, please go online to www.ringside-sa.com, or call 210-224-4777.

Jorge A. Herrera is Vice Chair of the South Texas Hispanic Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

AboutSan Antonio Area Foundation

The San Antonio Area Foundation, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, makes grants from funds established by individuals, families, businesses or other entities to support charitable causes. The Area Foundation manages more than $250 million in assets and has distributed more than $230 million for scholarships and grants to educate youth, preserve the environment, protect animals, fund research and provide services that enhance the quality of life in our region.